Disclaimer
The following links are to sites providing support for those who are experiencing mental illness, poverty, unemployment, possibly homelessness.
These sites are verifiable as useful statutory providers of the breadth of information we need to share. We have not checked every link on these sites, which may alter regularly without our knowledge.
We cannot accept responsibility for experiences an LGBTQ+ person has with any third party provider they contact.
Please choose support with discretion, and hypervigilance particularly in relation to religious groups and communities. Many are inclusive, will give you food, and will not pressure you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. If they are a Christian organisation who are not on this list you should consider setting your limits and boundaries before you approach them.
Mental Health
Emergency mental health support
Call 111 (option 2) as the first point of contact if experiencing a mental health crisis. Support is available 24/7.
Mental Health Support for Young People in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes –
Mental Health Support for Adults in Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes – Recovery Lounges
Bedford Open Door –
Counselling service for young people aged 13 to 25 who live in Bedford Borough or North Central https://www.bedfordopendoor.org.uk/
120 Tavistock Street,
Bedford, MK40 2SA
counselling@bedfordopendoor.org.uk
01234 360388
07922 105200
Helplines
Switchboard – the LGBT+ helpline – 0800 0119 100, open 10am–10pm every day. Email support: hello@swicthboard.lgbt. Online chat is also available through their homepage.
MindLine Trans+ – 0300 330 5468 Nationwide, is a confidential emotional, mental health support helpline for people who identify as transgender, agender, gender fluid and non-binary.
Mindout – MindOut Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer Mental Health Service – call 01273234839 or email info@mindout.org.uk or contact directly through their Online Support service. Dates and times on the website https://mindout.org.uk/
Samaritans – Samaritans offer a safe place to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. 24hr FREE phone calls from landline or mobile 116 123 / Email: jo@samaritans.org
Parents & Young People
Mermaids – Mermaids has many resources on their website https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/ as well as a helpline 0808 801 0400 Monday – Friday; 9 am – 9 pm
and a text service text MERMAIDS to 85258 and a web chat service that is on their website
FFLAG – FFLAG is a national voluntary organisation and registered charity. That is dedicated to supporting parents and families and their LGBT+ members. On the website, https://www.fflag.org.uk/ they have many resources to support as well as monthly online (Zoom) parent support groups. They also have a support helpline at 0300 688 0368
Qyouth Bedford – An LGBTQ+ Youth Group, in Bedford. They meet in a safe and welcoming space at Bedford. The group is run by experienced youth workers. Details of the group are kept under wraps to ensure everyone’s privacy, so contact them for more info!
qyouthbedford@qalliance.org.uk
Sexual Health
iCASH – Bedford sexual health clinic, offering screenings, advice etc
5 St John’s Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 0AH
Tel: 0300 300 3030
https://www.icash.nhs.uk/where-to-go/icash-bedfordshire/kings-brook-bedford
The Terrence Higgins Trust – The Terrence Higgins Trust has information and resources about sexual health https://www.tht.org.uk/
Trans Support
Know Your Rights Following the Supreme Court Judgement Know Your Rights – TransActual
The Name Change process – http://transactual.org.uk/blog/2023/10/22/name-change-processes/
Trans Safety Fund – Trans Safety Emergency Fund – TSEF
Support From Your GP –
https://transactual.org.uk/support-from-your-gp/
Common Issues In Healthcare And What To Do –
https://transactual.org.uk/medical-transition/common-healthcare-issues-and-what-to-do/
Local Gender Identity Clinics
The Nottingham Centre For Transgender Health (based in Cambridge) – The service will see patients who have been waiting on other gender clinics’ waiting lists and whose referral was received by the GIC prior to February 28, 2021.
https://ncth.nhs.uk/east-of-england-service/
https://ncth.nhs.uk/eoefaq
Tavistock and Portman Gender Identity Clinic – this clinic is based in London, taking referrals from Gps https://ncth.nhs.uk/east-of-england-service/
Trans Plus – TransPlus have been asked by NHS England to see adults who were originally referred to the Tavistock and Portman Gender Identity Clinic (GIC). This is a change from our previous eligibility criteria and aims to reduce the extensive waiting list to be seen at the Tavistock GIC
https://www.wearetransplus.co.uk/our-service/
Disability Support
Autism Bedfordshire – Autism Bedfordshire supports people who have a diagnosis of Autism https://www.autismbedfordshire.net/
Carers In Bedfordshire – Founded to support carers aged 16 to 25 that care for the disabled and elderly in Bedfordshire. Includes support information, newsletters and details of local events as well as offering telephone contact for advice.
https://carersinbeds.org.uk/
Access Bedford (Deaf Access) – Access Bedford supports people who are deaf and hard of hearing https://accessbedford.org.uk/
Sight Concern – Sight Concern supports people who are blind and partially sighted https://www.sightconcern.org.uk/about/
Inclusive Churches
Cost Of Living Support
Bedford Borough –
https://www.bedford.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/grants-and-funding/help-cost-living
https://www.cvsbeds.org.uk/foodprovidersinbedfordborough
ImpaktFood Community Larder –
Hawes Court, Bedford, MK40 1AW
https://impakt.org.uk/food/ Anyone can use Impakt Food .No Criteria. No Questions. Everyone is Welcome
Free food App – Olio
Discounted food App – To Good to Go.
Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton –
Warm Spaces –
Welcoming Spaces –
Drug and Alcohol Support
FRANK – 03001236600
Call FRANK 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Text a question to FRANK to reply to 82111
Email from a private email address via this form https://www.talktofrank.com/contact
LIVE CHAT 2pm – 6pm, 7 days a week https://www.talktofrank.com/contact-fran
DrinkAware – have a dedicated LGBTQ+ advice and information hub
https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice-and-support/advice-and-support-for-the-lgbtq-community
Gambling Support
GambleAware –
The National Gambling Support Network – Get Help 24/7 – Live Chat or call.
A hub of regional in-person or online services offering support.
https://www.gambleaware.org/tools-and-support/national-gambling-support-network/
For support that isn’t covered by any of these services, please feel free to contact us & we will try to direct you to an appropriate resource if we can.